Contact termination member for an electrical receptacle

Abstract

A contact termination member for an electrical receptacle is provided that electrically and mechanically secures an inserted wire to the electrical receptacle. The contact termination member has a base with a serrated portion. A spring arm connected to the base is adapted to bias the inserted wire against the serrated portion of the base to electrically and mechanically secure the inserted wire to the electrical receptacle.

1. A contact termination member for an electrical receptacle, comprising:
 a base having a serrated portion and a wire entry portion through which a wire is inserted; and 
 a spring arm integrally formed with said base to bias the inserted wire against said serrated portion of said base, a free end of said spring arm being proximal said wire entry portion of said base. 
 
   
   
     2. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said serrated portion extends from a first edge to a second edge of said base. 
 
   
   
     3. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a groove extends along a length of said serrated portion. 
 
   
   
     4. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said spring arm has a recess at said free end to receive the inserted wire. 
 
   
   
     5. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said spring arm has a second portion formed at an angle to a first portion when not retaining the inserted wire. 
 
   
   
     6. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 5 , wherein
 said angle is approximately thirty degrees. 
 
   
   
     7. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said contact termination member is disposed in an insulated electrical receptacle housing. 
 
   
   
     8. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 7 , wherein
 said electrical receptacle housing does not have an opening to release said inserted wire from said spring arm. 
 
   
   
     9. A contact termination member for an electrical receptacle, comprising:
 a base having a first end and a second end and a first wire entry portion for receiving a first inserted wire; 
 a first leg extending from said first end of said base, said first leg having a first serrated portion; 
 a first spring arm connected to said base and extending substantially parallel to said base to bias the first inserted wire against said serrated portion of said first leg, a first free end of said first spring arm being proximal said first wire entry portion of said base. 
 
   
   
     10. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 9 , wherein
 said contact termination member is unitarily formed as a single piece. 
 
   
   
     11. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 9 , wherein
 said first serrated portion has a first groove to receive the first wire. 
 
   
   
     12. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 9 , wherein
 said first free end of said first spring arm has a first recess to receive the first wire. 
 
   
   
     13. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 9 , wherein
 said base has a second leg extending from said second end of said base and a second wire entry portion for receiving a second inserted wire, said second leg having a second serrated portion; and 
 a second spring arm connected to said base and extending substantially parallel to said base to bias the second inserted wire against said second serrated portion of said second leg. 
 
   
   
     14. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 13 , wherein
 said first and second spring arms are integrally formed with said base as a single piece. 
 
   
   
     15. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 13 , wherein
 said base has first and second fastener holes receiving first and second fasteners, respectively, to secure the first and second wires. 
 
   
   
     16. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 13 , wherein
 first and second female contact ends extend outwardly from each of said first and second legs, respectively, to receive prongs of a plug inserted into said electrical receptacle. 
 
   
   
     17. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 13 , wherein
 each of said first and second spring arms has a second portion formed at an angle to a first portion when not retaining the first and second inserted wires. 
 
   
   
     18. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 17 , wherein
 said angle is approximately thirty degrees. 
 
   
   
     19. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 14 , wherein
 said contact termination member is disposed in an insulated electrical receptacle housing. 
 
   
   
     20. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 19 , wherein
 said electrical receptacle housing does not have openings to release the first and second inserted wires from said first and second spring arms, respectively. 
 
   
   
     21. A contact termination member for an electrical receptacle, comprising:
 a base having a first end and a second end and first and second wire entry portions for receiving first and second inserted wires; 
 a first leg extending from said first end of said base, said first leg having a first serrated portion; 
 a second leg extending from said second end of said base, said second leg having a second serrated portion; 
 a first spring arm connected to said base and extending substantially parallel to said base to bias the first inserted wire against said first serrated portion of said first leg; and 
 a second spring arm connected to said base and extending substantially parallel to said base and in a direction substantially opposite to said first spring arm to bias the second inserted wire against said second serrated portion of said second leg. 
 
   
   
     22. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 21 , wherein
 first and second female contact ends extend outwardly from said first and second legs, respectively, to receive prongs of plugs inserted into said electrical receptacle. 
 
   
   
     23. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 21 , wherein
 first and second grooves extend along said first and second serrated portions, respectively, to receive the first and second wires. 
 
   
   
     24. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 21 , wherein
 first and second free ends of said first and second spring arms have first and second recesses, respectively, to receive the first and second wires. 
 
   
   
     25. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 21 , wherein
 said contact termination member is disposed in an insulated electrical receptacle housing. 
 
   
   
     26. The contact termination member for the electrical receptacle according to  claim 25 , wherein
 said electrical receptacle housing does not have an opening to release an inserted wire from said spring arm.